What is tendinitis?

Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Tendonitis refers to an inflammatory reaction caused by various factors such as over-fatigue, fiber tearing, or other injuries to the tendon and its surrounding tissues. Therefore, tendonitis usually has a cause, commonly seen in acute injuries or chronic strain. The main symptoms are: first, pain, which is often related to movement, intensifies during physical activity and alleviates during rest. Second, there is occasional slight swelling of the joint. Third, persistent pain occurs in bouts. This indicates that after the tendon recovers from an initial injury, persistent pain appears, which eases after rest or treatment but is prone to recurrence. Thus, tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon and its surrounding tissues, usually a non-bacterial inflammation. If conservative treatment does not improve the condition after 7-10 days, it is recommended to seek medical treatment at a hospital.

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How to treat tendinitis and synovitis?

How to treat tendinitis and synovitis? Generally, the current approach is to first start with conservative treatments for tendinitis and synovitis. Conservative treatments include acupuncture, massage, physical therapy, topical ointments, and oral medications, all of which can help alleviate the symptoms of tendinitis and synovitis. However, if there is no improvement after more than six months of treatment, or if the symptoms, such as increasing pain, worsen, then a minimally invasive surgery might be necessary to provide relief.

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Can tendinitis be treated with moxibustion?

Tendonitis occurs commonly due to two reasons: overuse, which means excessive local activity, and trauma. Both causes lead to local aseptic inflammation of the tendon, resulting in edema, exudation, swelling, and pain. Moxibustion can be effective in this situation because it helps in activating blood circulation, reducing stasis, relieving swelling, and alleviating pain. The specific locations for applying moxibustion include the painful tendon area, and since the tendon is an extension of the muscle, not only the painful tendon area should be treated with moxibustion, but the entire muscle bundle can also be treated to help relieve overall muscle and tendon spasms and reduce pain.

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What should I do if my tendinitis is getting more painful?

When patients with tendinitis experience pain, they should first rest and avoid strenuous activities. They can also use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain. These drugs include ointments that can be applied to the affected area, as well as oral medications that can be taken after meals for a short period to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Additionally, patients can use treatments such as heat application, physical therapy, and local injections, which can also effectively relieve pain. When conservative treatments are ineffective or if there is a functional impairment due to adhesions of the tendon and surrounding tissues, surgical treatment can be considered.

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How long does it take for tendonitis to heal?

Tendons are a type of tough connective tissue that connects muscles to bones. When tendons are subjected to repeated excessive stretching, excessive stimulation, or injury, it can lead to localized pathological changes, causing pain, swelling, and dysfunction at the affected site. This may also involve the tendon sheath that envelopes the tendon, leading to a series of aseptic inflammatory responses, thereby causing dysfunction and a range of symptoms in the affected area. Generally, after sufficient rest, avoiding intense activities, and the appropriate use of anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs, recovery can be achieved in about two weeks.

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Which location to massage for tendinitis

Since a tendon is a bundle that extends from the muscle belly and is elongated, during massage, one should not only focus on the painful area but should consider the entire muscle and tendon. Massaging only the painful area is similar to the notion of treating just the head for a headache or just the foot for foot pain. Therefore, when massaging, it is necessary to cover the entire muscle from its origin to its insertion, reaching the painful parts of the tendon. Also, one should avoid rough massage techniques; instead, gentle manipulations are encouraged. Otherwise, it could lead to counterproductive effects and not be beneficial. Gentle massage or heat application are both acceptable methods.